This grant provides ongoing support for Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) to continue its Sloan science and theater program. Grant funds will allow EST to commission 45-50 original, full-length plays dealing with science and technology themes from both emerging and established playwrights; premiere five productions of science or technology themed plays on the EST mainstage; and continue for three years EST’s influential First Light Festival, an annual celebration of science and technology in the theater filled with readings, workshops, and related events. Other funds support EST in a series of partnerships that help prestigious regional theaters around the country both commission new science and technology themed plays, and stage plays originally developed or produced at EST.